The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-11-29
THE INDEPENDENT CHURCH.
Defended From Misconception and
Misrepresentation.


Misrepresentation.
Editor Morning Ne,CS: My fixed resolu-
ton to refrain from answering attacks upon
myself dees not apply to the case of public
misrepresentation to the injury of the
church which l have the honor to serve as
pastor. These Misrepresentation have been
so profuse that instead of taking time to
contradict them in detail, l will rather
make brief and authentic statement of the
truth.
The Independent Presbyterian church
was founded in the early days of the Colony
of Georgia, when as yet there was no local
Presbytery to which it could be attached.
1t has never become attached to a Presley
terry 1t has never withdrawn from any. No
Presbytery has ever assumed to send it
ministers or has stood in the way of its
securing any minister whose services it
desired Its ministers have sometimes
been members of Presbytery, like the
venerable pastor emeritus and sometimes
in good standing in other church relations,
like his eminent predecessor DR.. Preston.
1t is safe to say that the preposterous state
ment made about the present pastor, that
he belongs to no church" has never been
true of any man who has held this position.
It's pastors from the beginning have been
clergymen of high and approved standing
in the churches of America.
Thirty years ago next month this church,
seeking to fill the vacancy created by the
death of DR. Preston, was so happy as to
find in charge of the ancient Independent
Church in Liberty county the now aged and
infirm and tenderly cherished pastor emeri-
tus. Neither his membership in the Pres
bytery. nor that of his later associates, has
been any hindrance to their entering the
service Of this church; and on the other
hand, the church's independence of the
governmental control of the Presbytery has
not hindered it from being generously help
full to all good works in which the Presby-
terry is interested.
The record of the proceedings, two years
ago, when, at DIR. Axson's own request, pro-
vision was made to relieve him of burden
which he felt himself unable longer to bear,
is noble and beautiful record of mutual
fidelity and love. Those four printed pages
are sufficient answer to every impeach-
ment of the honor of the church in this re-
gard.
When, little more than year ago, the
| church. moving with dignified deliberation,
sent its invitation to another minister to as
sumo the active duties of pastor, it was &C.
companied with warm assurances Of well
come from the pastor emeritus From that
day forward the two ministers aod the ses-
sion have wrought together in absolutely
unbrokeu harmony. So far as remember,
every vote has been unanimous. Certainly
no utterance, or hint, or suspicion of a wish
on the part of the aged man has failed of
immediate consent on the part of the
younger.
At the end of twelve months the church
had to decide whether or not to renew its
invitation to the pastor for further service,
and by very large majority it decided not
| to do so. Rather small matter, one would
think, to make ga national issue" of-the
| fact that Georgia parish concluded that it
would like some one else for It's pastor
There have been allegations of unbecoming
conduct on the part of individuals in regard
| to that election; they may be true, for
aught | know. But | claim, with thank
| fulness TO God, that the conduct of the church
as body has been calm, dignified and Chris
tian throughout-nuch as this statement
may disappoint and grieve the sort of
readers who search the morning papers
greedily for chance to chuckle over I'M
worthy conduct in a church.
And now one word as to the meeting of
yesterday and the alleged hopeless muddle"
of the church The resignation of Messrs.
Olmstead and Wakelee, instead of being an
act of pique and anger, was, as every one
acquainted with these men must know, an
act of sober, conscientious Judgment. 1t
has reference, not to differences in the late
election, but to facts reaching far back into
the past, and affecting the most sacred and
confidential duties that are imposed upon
the church by its divine Master and Head.
The consequent resignation of the remainder
of the session, instead of producing hope
less middle, simply illustrates the autonomy
of the church. After some hesitation and
difference as to the best time and method Of
procedure, the church accepts the resigna-
tons, makes wise and sufficient provision
for the interim, and adjourns in more hope
full condition than for years before. The
church deserves none OF the malicious or
laundering reproaches with which 1t has
been so pertinaciousiv aso~'l"|
I have said nOUnIus Va ..-o ulultltuoe OF
accusations that have been circulated
against myself. publicly and privately, If
any are interested TO know the truth about
theBI. they may come TO me df they are not